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Losing weight is
beneficial for people with diabetes because it increases the body’s
ability to use insulin. Fat increases insulin resistance and the
loss of fat means the insulin your body produces can reduce the
level of sugar in your blood. If your doctor has put you on
medication, you may be able to lower the dosage or give it up
completely if your weight loss is sufficient.
Eating diabetic food
can help you lose weight and in addition to the boost this gives
your body’s insulin, losing weight can improve your cholesterol and
blood pressure. This is especially important for people with
diabetes as they have double the rate of incidence of heart disease
or stroke than other people.
But don’t be afraid
of diabetic food, it’s not your grandma’s diabetic diet, the
American Diabetes Association along with the entire medical
profession have changed their stance on how people with diabetes can
eat. They have modified the food pyramid to create a diabetic food
pyramid. People with diabetes can eat any of the foods represented
in the six food groups; the key is portion and moderation. And
balance, of course.
The base of the
diabetic food pyramid is grains and starches. These are mostly
carbohydrates and make up the largest group of recommended foods and
servings. The top of the pyramid is sweets and fats, and it also
includes alcohol. This group had always been considered taboo for
people with diabetes and its inclusion into the new suggested eating
plan allows for more people to achieve their goals and successfully
manage their diabetes. Their presence on the pyramid does not grant
daily access, however; these treats are to be indulged in sparingly
and as an exchange for other foods, not in addition to one’s regular
meals.
By following the
suggested meal plans or even by simply eating healthy foods in
smaller portions and eating at regularly scheduled times and adding
exercise to your daily routine you can achieve the weight loss
necessary to mange your diabetes. Ideally, you will reach a target
weight that keeps you off of oral medication and away from needing
insulin injections.
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